Evolution is happening faster than we thought
A friend recently invited me over to see the blackbird that had taken up residence in a potted plant on her balcony. Serenely incubating eggs in the inner city, this bird had little in common with its shy, reclusive ancestors that nested in Europe’s forests. Early in the 19th century, Read More...
Beyond organic at Miracle Farms in St-Anicet: Permaculture transforms an apple orchard into an oasis
When biologist Stefan Sobkowiak took over the orchard in St-Anicet in 1993, there were very few birds. His commercial apple orchard in the Montérégie region of Quebec, about 90 kilometres southwest of Montreal, was surrounded by non-organic neighbours, and this seemed to impact the Read More...
Making the cloud green: Tech firms push for renewable energy sources
At Green House Data in Cheyenne, Wyo., energy efficiency is an obsession. When someone enters one of the company's secured data vaults, they're asked to pause in the entryway and stomp their shoes on a clear rubber mat with a sticky, glue-like finish. "Dust is a huge concern of ours," says Art Read More...
Investors increasingly use their dollars to create change
Investing in the future means more than making money for retirement. Among everyone from millennials – who make up 34% of the workforce and recently became the largest age group employed in the US – to baby boomers, there’s a growing trend of “impact investing”. Practitioners of this Read More...
You'll never guess which state is building a renewable energy empire
Nope, try again -- it's not California. Don't feel bad; most people probably thought of the Golden State first, too. But back east, it's New York that's busy, trying to prove it doesn't have to play second fiddle in leading the adoption of renewables. In January, New York's governor, Andrew Read More...
Finally, a Starbucks coffee cup that can be recycled
An estimated 60 billion paper cups in the US end up in landfills every year because they can't be recycled easily. A coffee cup is an environmental nightmare. Most are made from cardboard with a thin layer of plastic tightly attached to the cup. This keeps the drink warm and prevents the cardboard Read More...
The new mayor of Turin wants to create Italy’s first vegetarian city
Meat dishes have been central to the food tradition of Italy for centuries—and they have inspired restaurants all over the world. So it’s remarkable that the new mayor of Turin, at the center of the Piedmont region that is home to many famous meat producers, has pledged to promote vegetarian Read More...
The next electric car has water coming out of its tailpipe
You may be getting used to the electric car—or at least to the news that this car is soon going to transform society. However, the next phase in the car revolution is already under way. Current electric cars are powered by batteries—not exactly the most environmentally-friendly technology. The Read More...
Psychotherapy helps people turn down the din of tinnitus
About three years ago, a high-pitched "eeeeeeeee" sound started ringing in Linda Gray's ears. Sometimes, the ring would suddenly turn into a roar, sending Gray into panic mode. Her heart would speed up. She'd try to find a quiet room. "You're trying to escape it. It's like, 'Turn this off!' " she Read More...
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announces heavy truck, ride sharing fleet of cars
Elon Musk unveiled his “master plan” for Tesla Motors Inc., delivering a long-term vision that includes making an integrated solar and battery storage system and building a freight truck and a bus. He even has a plan for a ride-sharing business. Musk delivered the long-awaited plan on Read More...